Journal Article•
The Science of Scientific Writing
TL;DR: The authors argue that complexity of thought need not lead to impenetrability of expression, and demonstrate a number of rhetorical principles that can produce clarity in communication without oversimplifying scientific issues.
Abstract: Science is often hard to read Most people assume that its difficulties are born out of necessity, out of the extreme complexity of scientific concepts, data and analysis We argue here that complexity of thought need not lead to impenetrability of expression; we demonstrate a number of rhetorical principles that can produce clarity in communication without oversimplifying scientific issues The results are substantive, not merely cosmetic: Improving the quality of writing actually improves the quality of thought
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TL;DR: The authors briefly describes the structure of English prose and lists four principles to help non-native speakers improve their writing, focusing on the importance of the stress position and the subjectverb link.
Abstract: The goal of scientific writing is clear communication of facts and ideas. Many books are available that explain the myriad of English grammar rules but clear communication requires more than just correct grammar; it also requires an understanding of how people read English. This paper briefly describes the structure of English prose and lists four principles to help non-native speakers improve their writing. The first two deal with individual sentences, focusing on the importance of the stress position and the subject‐verb link. The final two deal with series of sentences, focusing on the importance of cohesion and coherence.
4 citations
01 Jan 2001
TL;DR: The theoretical underpinnings for the course, the course contents, and the evaluation of the course by the first group of graduate students who enrolled in it in the fall of 2000 are discussed.
Abstract: Research and our experience as writing instructors tell us that effective writers evaluate their own writing by drawing on two main resources—content knowledge and discourse knowledge. Graduate students are generally quite confident in the former and often unaware of the subtle but powerful role of the latter, which includes a knowledge of audiences and metalinguistic knowledge about writing genres, especially specialized disciplinary ones. Because we recognize the increased pressure on graduate students to publish (and therefore, implicitly, to be aware of both content and discourse), we have designed and taught a graduate-level course in Academic Publishing. In our paper we will discuss the theoretical underpinnings for the course, the course contents, and the evaluation of the course by the first group of graduate students who enrolled in it in the fall of 2000. We will also discuss lessons learned and improvements we hope to make in subsequent iterations of the course.
3 citations
TL;DR: Insight into the publishing process will enable the participants to be more confident as an author in the world of science publishing, and will help them get their papers published more easily.
3 citations
TL;DR: While writing is integral to science, it gets little attention in formal science education/academics as discussed by the authors and such neglect has serious implications for nonnative English-speaking (NNES) scientists.
Abstract: While writing is integral to science, it gets little attention in formal science education/academics. Such neglect has serious implications for nonnative English-speaking (NNES) scientists....
3 citations
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Book•
07 Aug 2002TL;DR: The Style: Ten Lessons in clarity and grace as mentioned in this paperocusing on the single most serious problem that mature writers face: a wordy, tangled, too-complex prose style, is a useful resource for any mature writer.
Abstract: In his preface, Joseph M. Williams says that Style: ten lessons in clarity and grace focuses on “the single most serious problem that mature writers face: a wordy, tangled, too-complex prose style.” His book deals with that problem admirably. Indeed, the advice and examples furnished by Williams are varied and sophisticated enough to make it a useful resource for any mature writer — even the mature writer whose prose is clear and concise.
381 citations